Flash Noseband

[Olivia16]

How do I know if my horse needs a flash noseband??
He's in an eggbutt snaffle at the moment. He opens his mouth quite a lot when being ridden and sometimes you can see his tongue at the side of his mouth. Could this be that the bit is wrong or does he need a flash noseband. I've heard that they help a horse that keeps their mouth open. I also think he could have lost a tooth at some point could this be the cause of the open mouth and should he have a special bit?? Also, are flash nosebands uncomfortable on a horse as it seems kind of mean to make a horse have his mouth closed all the time????

 

[Tickles]

Good question!

IMHO no horse 'needs' a flash noseband. Some /riders/ need a flash noseband to keep the mouths of some horses closed around bits they do not like/that are being used to ask for something they are not accepting.

You can ask your equine dentist to check your horse’s teeth and take their advice on bits. There are also ‘bit banks’ where you can try a few out to see what your horse prefers.

Also get an instructor to look at how you use your hands when you ride to ensure that you are helping your horse take the contact.

(Alternatively ditch the bit all together and try a bitless bridle ;-))

 

[texel]

I agree with Tickles.

The behaviour your horse is exhibiting is that he is trying to tell you he is in pain and uncomfortable with what you are using at the moment. So your job is to find a bit that he can put up with and be 'comfortable' with.

Clamping the mouth shut is not solving the problem.

You can get advise from quite a few sites which sell bits and once you have found the right one you will have a willing partner.